Tile flooring

Tile flooring is attractive, durable, and easy to clean. Some tiles can be installed by the
homeowner. There are floor tiles to suit every use, every taste, and every pocketbook.
Stone flooring has been in use for millennia. Today, stone floors create a feeling of luxury. They
can create of mood of great formality or relaxed informality, depending on the type of stone.
Generally, marble floors are the most formal and flagstone floors are the most informal. The
natural variation in color and pattern make stone floor tiles very beautiful, and they are very
durable as well.
Terrazzo tiles

Terrazzo tiles are formed from marble or other stone chips embedded in concrete. The surface is
polished to a high sheen. Terrazzo floor tiles are beautiful and easy to maintain. Clay has been
used for floor tiles from ancient times. Today, the clay can be processed in a number of different
ways, resulting in several categories of tile.
Terra cotta

Terra cotta is clay that has been fired but not colored, the same material used for garden pots. It is
usually left unglazed. The color can vary, due to variation in the mineral content of the soil, but
usually has an orange cast. Terra cotta floor tiles absorb liquid, so they have to be treated before
use indoors.

Ceramic tile

Ceramic tile is made from clay fired in a kiln. Then a colored glaze is added, and the tile is fired
again, making the colors very vivid. Ceramic tile can be slippery, so they are usually treated with
an abrasive if they are to be used a floor tiles. Unglazed ceramic tiles, called quarry tiles, are also
available. They stain easily, so they should be sealed for use as flooring.
Porcelain tiles

Porcelain tiles are clay tiles fired at very high temperatures. This creates a dense tile that is quite
resistant to moisture. The Porcelain Enamel Institute rates the hardness of porcelain tiles for use
in light traffic areas, group I, to extra heavy traffic areas, group V.

Mosaic floor tiles are usually made from porcelain, ceramic, or glass formed into squares of less
than two inches (2.5 cm). The squares can be arranged to form a picture or a repeating pattern.
Artisans create unique floors using mosaic tiles. The tiles are also available in standard patterns,
which can be purchased attached to a backing for easy installation.
Vinyl tiles

Vinyl tiles were developed after World War II. Today, the process is so sophisticated that vinyl
floor tiles can mimic any other material, from hardwood to porcelain. They are inexpensive and
easy to install.
Linoleum tile

Linoleum tile is increasing in popularity because it is made of natural materials with low-energy
processes. It contains no toxins and is mildly antibacterial. Early linoleum was only available in
muted colors, but today bright, vibrant colors are also available.

Wood Type
Maple & Birch

Benefits and Considerations

Maple and birch each have a whitish colour with light brown grain lines,
and are smooth to the touch. Maple and birch flooring can help create a
clean, modern look, or help brighten up a dark room.

Bamboo
Bamboo is technically considered a grass, not a wood, but has roughly the
same hardness as oak. Bamboo is durable and considered an eco-friendly
option when it comes to wood flooring. Bamboo flooring can range in
colour from a natural light brown, to a deep cherry or mocha.
Pine, Hemlock & Fir
(softwoods)
Pine, hemlock, and fir are different types of softwoods that come from
evergreens. These woods are perfect for creating a country-like appearance,
and may be more suitable in less formal rooms.

Ash
Ash is very similar to oak in appearance, but slightly whiter in colour.
Extremely durable, Ash is used in the production of baseball bats, tool
handles and other products, making it an ideal choice for heavily-used
rooms.
Oak (red or white)
Oak is brown in colour with dark grain lines, and available in two types:
red oak or white oak. Red oak has a pinkish tinge, while white oak is
browner. Both are perfect for creating a traditional-looking wood floor.
Walnut & Cherry

Walnut and cherry are both strong woods that make for attractive home
flooring. Walnut is brown in colour, while cherry tends to be a lighter
reddish brown. Walnut tends to lighten with age, while cherry deepens with
time.

Wood Type

Benefits and Considerations

Natural Stone Types

Discover your stone type here before shopping our solid
product line.

Stone flooring is available in a number of different types and no two stone floors are ever the
same. Each has its own unique color, veining and natural characteristics such as hardness and
porosity.
But there is only one type of Baker Bros. showroom. Its the flooring center that elevates,
educates and emphasizes style. In fact, if one word defines and differentiates Baker Bros., thats
it.
Style is all about fashion and we dedicate ourselves to it every day, every way and everywhere
through the Baker Bros. motto: Where Fashion Meets Flooring.
And nowhere is this commitment to style greater than in our expansive product portfolio.
Here on our website, and at all seven of our valley showrooms, youll discover an entire
spectrum of beautiful, high quality stone flooring brands.
So many styles, so much selection, so many choices that, at Baker Bros. you are assured of
More products per square foot.

Its all showcased with your need for variety and personalization in mind. Our showrooms
average more than 8,000 square feet. Thats five times larger than the average flooring retailer.
All for your viewing pleasure.
And to help you find your type of stone flooring, weve created these pages.
Because the number of natural stone choices, patterns, colors, textures and price points can
intimidate even the most experienced shopper.
Knowing the basic types of stone can provide you with a firm foundation upon which to begin
your shopping journey.
So please read on and we promise to be as clear and helpful as possible

Next, you should be aware that there are two types of edges for natural stone floor tile: a
polished bull nose edge that has a rounded or curved appearance, or a polished straight 90 degree
edge that gives a more modern and clean look to your space.
For your information, a glossary.
To help you understand the types of natural stone, weve put this glossary together. Always with
the goal of making you a smarter shopper.
There are two basic types of stone used in the building industry:
* Natural stone such as marble, granite, or limestone.
* Agglomerates (Manufactured stones) that consist of natural stone chips suspended in a
bonding, manufactured material.
Igneous rock is formed when molten rock (called lava or magma) cools and hardens. Granite is
an example of an igneous rock.

Sedimentary rock is formed from biological deposits that have undergone consolidation and
crystallization. Limestone and sandstone fall into this category.
Metamorphic rock is created when other kinds of rocks are changed by great heat and pressure
inside the earth. Marble, slate and quartzite are examples of metamorphic rocks.
Here are the names and definitions of some of the more popular natural stones:
Granite is an igneous stone that is extremely hard, dense and resistant to scratches and acid
etching. It is an ideal stone for use in flooring and in food preparation areas. Hundreds of
varieties of granite exist.
Sandstone is a sedimentary stone that is primarily composed of loose grains of quartz sand that
are rough in texture. A number of varieties are available.
Limestone is another sedimentary stone, its formed from calcite and sediment and comes in
many earthen colors.
Marble is a derivative of limestone. It is a metamorphic stone that can be polished. Marble is
characteristically soft and easily scratched or etched by acids. There are countless types of
marble from around the world.
Travertine is a crystallized, partially metamorphosed limestone, which because of its structure,
can be filled and honed and is dense enough to be a type of marble.
Slate is a metamorphic stone that has a sheet-like structure. It is composed of clay, quartz and
shale, and comes in a multitude of colors including reds and greens.
Agglomerate Stone is a manufactured stone made from natural stone chips suspended in a binder
such as cement, epoxy resins or polyester.
The most well known agglomerated stone is poured-in-place terrazzo, used in building for
thousands of years.
Today, some of the most popular manufactured stone products are quartz products.
These products offer the look of natural stone but are stain and scratch resistant, offer
consistency and strength, and are virtually maintenance free.
Now, lets take an even closer look at some of the most popular natural stone types available
today, and provide you with some Baker Bros. recommended applications.

When it comes to durability, granite is grand.

Of all natural stone, granite is one of the hardest and densest, second only to diamond.
Made up mostly of quartz and feldspar, it resists staining and scratching better than any other
natural stone, making it an ideal choice for your kitchen floor.
In fact, granite is durable and wearable enough for almost any application you can think of.
Its also beautiful in foyers, bathrooms, libraries, or as an accent with other natural stones.
Mother Nature produces granite in a variety of rich colors such as Black Galaxy, which is a
luxurious black stone with small white or gold crystals.
Tropical Brown is another very popular choice made up of tan, gold, brown and black flecks,
while Gallo Veneziano is comprised of more vibrant golds, browns and blacks.

For timeless elegance, marble is ageless.

Marble has a legendary elegance. It was used throughout the ancient world because it was soft
enough to be worked with tools but hard enough to last through the ages.
Once considered the domain of the rich and famous, marble can be used in many flooring
applications throughout your home.

Just what is marble you may ask?

Its a crystallized limestone that is not as hard as granite.
Marble comes in many different color variations and usually displays a prominent veining
pattern with luxurious swirls and patches of contrasting color that make marble famous. Can you
imagine it in your home?
Some popular marbles today are Crema Marfil, a light tan color with rich, creamy veins, and
Dark Emperador, a popular dark brown marble which has dramatic veins of white.
Carrera marbles, also very popular, come in varying shades of white.

Long ago, living things helped create todays limestone.

Limestone has a more subtle look and is actually a young marble.
It is created by the accumulation of organic materials such as shells and coral that gives it a
unique, natural look.
This more porous stone comes in a diverse range of neutral colors from ivory to golden brown.
This range of colors makes limestone a versatile design option for flooring.

Travertine: for a hole different look.

A member of the limestone family, Travertine shares some similar characteristics such as being
soft and porous.
Travertine is formed with many small cavities and holes that can be filled in with cement or
resin, or left unfilled for a textured surface.
The surface is then polished to a rough or highly polished finish.
The filled-in areas remain dull which creates an interesting contrast.
Like limestone, travertine can be used in flooring in numerous rooms in your home.

Slate delivers texture, inside and outside.

Slate is a highly versatile stone that gives a natural, rustic appearance to any room.
Slate can be used for interiors as well as exteriors, making it the perfect product to bring the
outdoors inside your home.

All slate has a natural clefting along the surface that gives this stone its unique textural,
layered look.
This stone is made up of clay and shale, which is very dense.
Slate is water resistant, which also makes it ideal for exterior applications, such as patios and
pool surrounds.
Slate colors range from rich reds, oranges and golds to mauve, lavender, green, blue, black, rust
and brown.
If your style is about texture, no other natural stone has the dramatic texture and color of slate.

To finish this section, information on finishes.

All natural stone is fabricated with a particular type of surface finish.
Some common types of surface finishes we see today are: polished, honed, acid-washed, saw-cut
refined, flamed, split-faced, tumbled and brushed.

A polished surface creates a beautiful glossy shine from the natural reflection of the stones
crystals.
The mirror-like shine is accomplished by using progressively finer polishing heads during the
polishing process, similar to the way that sandpaper smoothes hardwood furniture.
The finer the sandpaper, the smoother the surface. Make sense?
The polish may last a long time or may be unstable depending on the type of stone.
Granite, marble and limestone are frequently polished, and require varying degrees of
maintenance to preserve the shine.

A honed surface provides a flat, matte or satin finish creating a more informal and softer look.
This finish is created by stopping short of the last stage of polishing.
A honed finish shows fewer scratches, and requires less maintenance.
Marble, limestone, travertine and slate would be your best choices for a honed finish.

An acid-washed finish is shiny with small etching marks (pits in the surface). This finish shows
fewer scratches and is much more rustic in appearance than a honed finish.
Most stones can be acid-washed but the most common are marble and limestone. Acid washing
is also a way to soften the shine on granite.

Saw-cut refined offers you a matte finish. After initial cutting, the stone is processed to remove
the heaviest saw marks but not enough to achieve a honed finish.
You can purchase granite, marble and limestone this way, typically on a special order basis.
Please consult with us.

A flamed finish is achieved by heating the surface of the stone to extreme temperatures, followed
by rapid cooling.
The surface of the stone pops and chips leaving a rough, unrefined texture.
This process is usually done with granite. Flamed granite has a highly textured surface, making it
ideal for areas where slip resistance might be a concern. Like in your shower areas.

Split-faced gives you a rough texture, but one not as abrasive as flamed.
This finish is typically achieved by hand cutting and chiseling at the quarry, exposing the natural
cleft of the stone. This finish is primarily done on slate.

Tumbled delivers a smooth or slightly pitted surface, and broken, rounded edges and corners.
There are several methods used to achieve the tumbled look.
3/8 thick tiles can be tumbled in a machine to achieve the desired look, or 3cm tiles can be
tumbled and then split, creating two tiles that are tumbled on one side.
Marble and limestone are your primary candidates for a tumbled finish.

Brushed features a worn-down look achieved by brushing the surface of the stone, simulating
natural wear over time.